Update (October 2026)
COVID-19 travel restrictions have ended, so the COVID-19 references in this article are historical. The current position is in the first section below: if you were granted a skilled visa outside Australia, you can make your first entry at any time before the “Must not arrive after” date in your grant letter, carrying the Facilitation Notice. See our 189, 190 and 491 visa guides.
Information for clients unable to make their first entry to Australia (Initial Entry Date)
If you have been granted one of the visas listed above and you are unable to make your first entry into Australia by the date specified in your Grant Notification letter, please refer to the attached Facilitation Notice.
We understand there will be circumstances where some visa holders can’t arrive in Australia by the initial entry date. In this case, holders of valid skilled visas can still enter Australia after their initial entry date.
Generally, visa holders are permitted to make the first entry into Australia at any time before the “Must not arrive after” date. You will find the “Must not arrive after” date in the visa Grant Notification letter sent when the visa was granted (see example below).
EXAMPLE:
You do not need to be granted an extension to the initial entry date but you must enter Australia by the “Must not arrive after” date. The Department cannot extend the “Must not arrive after” date specified in your visa Grant Notification letter.
You may wish to carry a copy of the Facilitation Notice when travelling. You may need to show it to your travel provider or the airline when checking in at the airport, and to the border officer on arrival in Australia.
This notice should be sufficient evidence for a travel provider to be satisfied that the visa holder can enter Australia as the holder of a Skilled Migration visa. If you show this letter to the airline, but still have a problem checking-in for your flight, ask the airline representative to contact the Australian Border Operations Centre (BOC) to resolve the issue.
First Entry
The department will not seek to cancel a Skilled visa where offshore Skilled visa holders who are subject to condition 8504 (must enter before specified date) cannot enter by the specified date. Since the COVID-19 crisis the government has announced changes to policy and concessions for some visas.
Offshore Skilled visas subject to the 8504 condition including:
- Skilled Independent (subclass 189)
- Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)
- Skilled Regional (subclass 489) (closed to new applicants since 16 November 2019; replaced by the 491)
- Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491)
requires the visa holder enters before the specified date.
If you were outside Australia when you were granted one of the above Skilled visas then your visa grant is subject to
visa Condition 8504 which provides that:
- The holder must enter Australia as the holder of the visa to which the condition applies before a date specified
by the Minister.
This condition requires that each visa holder must make their first entry into Australia before the date specified in the
“Grant Notification” letter.
Skilled Migration is aware that in certain circumstances you and/or family members who were granted a visa as part of
your application may not be able to comply with this condition.
Failure to comply with visa conditions can render a visa liable for cancellation under the Migration Act 1958 and visa
holders are strongly encouraged to make their first entry to Australia by the initial entry date provided in your grant
notification, however, generally the department will not seek to cancel a Skilled visa where the only reason for doing so would be
breach of this condition due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Visa Validity Period
This notice can only be used during the period for which you hold a valid visa. Information about your visa validity
period is available in the “Grant Notification” letter.
DHA cannot extend the validity period of your visa to enable you to travel to Australia and if your Skilled visa ceases for
any reason then you cannot enter Australia as the holder of this visa.
Children born outside of Australia
Please be aware that for a child born outside of Australia (where neither parent is an Australian citizen) you will need
to apply for; and be granted; a visa for that child prior to your travel to Australia.
Travelling to Australia
DHA will send you a notice along with your ‘Grant Notification‘ letter which should be sufficient evidence for a travel provider to be satisfied that the visa holder can enter Australia as the holder of a Skilled visa. Visa holder(s) are advised to carry a copy of the notice to present to the airline when checking in at the airport and on arrival into Australia. Please note that some delays may be encountered upon arrival into Australia while visa validity is verified.
Before arranging travel to Australia visa holder(s) should refer to the Department’s website for information regarding
any travel restrictions that may be in effect. See: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/
Initial entry date or “must not arrive after” date?
| Date in your grant letter | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Initial entry date (condition 8504) | The date by which the Department expects your first entry | Try to enter by this date. If you cannot, the Facilitation Notice allows entry later, before the “Must not arrive after” date |
| “Must not arrive after” date | The last day you can make your first entry on this visa | You must enter by this date. It cannot be extended |
| Visa expiry or travel facility end date | For permanent visas, the end of the 5-year travel facility | After this date you need a Resident Return visa to come back as a permanent resident |
Before you travel: checklist
- Check your grant letter for the initial entry date and the “Must not arrive after” date for every family member.
- Print the Facilitation Notice and your grant letter, and carry them with your passport.
- Make sure every family member travels on the passport linked to the visa. If you renew a passport, update your details with the Department before you fly.
- If a child was born after the visa grant, apply for and get a visa for the child before you travel.
- If you hold a 491, plan to live and work in a designated regional area from arrival.
First entry FAQs
What happens if I miss my initial entry date?
Generally you can still enter before the “Must not arrive after” date. Carry the Facilitation Notice in case the airline or border officer asks about it.
Can the "Must not arrive after" date be extended?
No. The Department cannot extend it. If you do not enter by that date, you cannot use that visa to enter Australia.
Do all family members need to enter by the date?
Yes. Each person granted the visa must make their own first entry by the dates in their grant letter.
Can my permanent visa be cancelled if I enter late?
Breaching condition 8504 can make a visa liable to cancellation. Entering before the “Must not arrive after” date in line with the Facilitation Notice is the safe approach. Get advice if you are worried about a late entry.
If you would like a comprehensive consultation which includes assessing you for other temporary and permanent visa options (Skilled visas, Employer Sponsored, Partner, etc.) as well, we recommend our standard 45 minute to 1 hour consultation which can be scheduled here:
https://visaenvoy.as.me/video (45 min- $160)
Condition 8503 to Apply to All Visitor Visas, ETAs and eVisitors
Applying for Another Visitor Visa From Inside Australia
Visiting Australia While Your Partner or Parent Visa Is Being Processed
Sponsored Family Visitor Visas: Who Can Sponsor and How Security Bonds Work
Visitor Visa Conditions Explained: 8101, 8201, 8503, 8531 and 8558